What is ADHD in children?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to focus, control impulses, and regulate activity levels.

At what age can ADHD be diagnosed?

ADHD can be diagnosed as early as preschool age, but symptoms are usually more noticeable when a child starts school and faces structured learning environments.

What causes ADHD in children?

ADHD is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. It is not caused by poor parenting or lack of discipline.

What are the common symptoms of ADHD in children?

Common symptoms include difficulty paying attention, being easily distracted, excessive talking, impulsive behavior, and constant movement or restlessness.

Picky Eating in Children: What Your Child’s Eating Habits May Be Telling You

Picky eating is common in childhood, especially during the toddler and preschool years. Some children may refuse certain foods, eat only a small selection of foods, or become upset when new foods are introduced.

While picky eating can sometimes be part of normal development, it can also be influenced by sensory sensitivities, anxiety, oral-motor difficulties, or other underlying concerns.

Taylor, C. M., & Emmett, P. M. (2018). Picky eating in children: causes and consequences. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 78(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0029665118002586

Instead of asking only, “Why is my child so picky?”, it can be helpful to ask:

“What might my child’s eating behaviour be trying to tell me?”

Understanding Picky Eating in Children

Children can develop strong preferences around food for many different reasons.

They may be sensitive to:

Taste
Smell
Texture
Temperature
Appearance
How food feels in their mouth

Some children may also find new foods unfamiliar or unpredictable.

This means that refusing food is not always simply about being stubborn or difficult.

Sometimes, eating behaviour can provide clues about what a child is experiencing.

1. Refusing Certain Textures May Reflect Sensory Sensitivity

Some children strongly dislike particular textures, such as:

- Mushy foods
- Crunchy foods
- Sticky foods
- Mixed textures
- Foods with skins or lumps

For example, a child may happily eat crackers but refuse fruit, vegetables, or foods with a soft texture.

This may be related to sensory processing differences rather than simply disliking the taste.

What parents can do:

Katsikari, A., & Varela, P. (2025). Individual differences in sensitivity to texture as drivers of food preferences and eating behaviour. Food Quality and Preference, 136, 105752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2025.105752

2. Eating Only a Few Foods May Mean Your Child Needs Predictability

Some children prefer eating the same foods repeatedly.

They may:

Ask for the same meal every day
Become upset when a familiar brand is changed
Refuse food that looks slightly different
Prefer foods served in a specific way

For some children, familiar foods feel safer and more predictable.

Instead of immediately removing their preferred foods, parents can gradually introduce small changes.

For example, if your child eats one particular type of bread, you might slowly introduce another similar type rather than making a sudden change.

van der Horst, K., Deming, D. M., Lesniauskas, R., Carr, B. T., & Reidy, K. C. (2016). Picky eating: Associations with child eating characteristics and food intake. Appetite, 103, 286–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.04.027

3. Avoiding New Foods Does Not Always Mean Your Child Is Being Stubborn

Trying unfamiliar foods can feel challenging for some children.

They may feel uncomfortable with:

New smells
Different colours
Unfamiliar textures
Changes in appearance
Foods touching each other

This is sometimes called food neophobia, where a child is hesitant or fearful about trying unfamiliar foods

Repeated, pressure-free exposure can help children become more comfortable with new foods over time.

Remember: Seeing a new food is also part of learning about it.

A child may need to see, smell, touch, and interact with a food several times before they are ready to taste it.

Nederkoorn, C., Theiβen, J., Tummers, M., & Roefs, A. (2018). Taste the feeling or feel the tasting: Tactile exposure to food texture promotes food acceptance. Appetite, 120, 297–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2017.09.010

4. Mealtime Behaviour May Be Communicating Discomfort

Sometimes, what looks like a behavioural problem during meals may be a sign that something is difficult for the child.

For example, a child may:

Cry when food is presented
Push food away
Leave the table
Gag when trying certain foods
Become very distressed during mealtimes

If mealtimes are consistently stressful, it is worth looking at the bigger picture rather than assuming the child is simply refusing to cooperate.

Possible factors may include sensory sensitivity, difficulty chewing, oral-motor challenges, constipation, reflux, or anxiety around eating.

Nelson, J. A., & Holub, S. C. (2025). Parents’ feeding stress and pressure: Family mealtime dynamics with preschoolers across one week. Appetite, 211, 107992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.107992

5. Picky Eating Can Affect More Than Mealtimes

For some children, food preferences may become so limited that they begin to affect everyday life.

Parents may notice:

A very small range of accepted foods
Avoidance of entire food groups
Difficulty eating outside the home
Anxiety around unfamiliar foods
Difficulty participating in family meals
Concerns about nutritional intake or growth

When food choices become very restricted, professional guidance can help identify what may be contributing to the difficulty.

Fonseca, N. K. O., Curtarelli, V. D., Bertoletti, J., Azevedo, K., Cardinal, T. M., Moreira, J. D., & Antunes, L. C. (2024). Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder: Recent advances in neurobiology and treatment. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12(1), 74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01021-z

What Parents Can Do

Here are some simple ways parents can support healthier eating habits:

1. Avoid forcing your child to eat

Pressure can make mealtimes more stressful and may increase negative associations with food.

2. Offer familiar and new foods together

A preferred food can help make a new food feel less overwhelming.

3. Keep mealtimes predictable

Consistent routines can help children know what to expect.

4. Let your child explore food

Touching, smelling, or looking at a new food can be an important step before tasting it.

5. Be a positive role model

Children often learn by watching the adults around them. Eat a variety of foods together and keep mealtimes relaxed.

When Should Parents Seek Professional Support?

Consider seeking professional advice if your child’s picky eating is:

Very intense or persistent
Causing frequent distress
Affecting eating or nutrition
Limiting participation in school or social activities
Making family mealtimes very difficult
Associated with gagging, choking or difficulty chewing
Causing concerns about growth or weight
Becoming increasingly restrictive

It is important to remember that not every picky eater has a feeding disorder. However, persistent or severe food restriction deserves a closer look so that the underlying factors can be properly understood.

Understanding the Child Behind the Eating Behaviour

Picky eating is not always simply about a child refusing to eat.

Sometimes, it may reflect sensory sensitivities, a need for predictability, anxiety, developmental differences, or difficulties with eating skills.

When parents understand what may be contributing to the behaviour, they can respond with support rather than pressure.

Mealtimes are not just about eating. They are also about helping children feel safe, comfortable, and confident around food.

At FirstStep Psychology and Child Development Centre, we support children and families with developmental, behavioural, sensory, and feeding-related concerns.

Seeking professional help does not always mean something is “seriously wrong”.

If you are concerned about your child’s eating habits, professional guidance can help you better understand the reasons behind the behaviour and identify appropriate support.

You are welcome to reach out to us for a consultation if you would like support with your child’s feeding or developmental concerns.

You are welcome to reach out to us for a consultation if you would like support in understanding your child’s emotions, behaviour, or development.

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REFERENCES

Taylor, C. M., & Emmett, P. M. (2018). Picky eating in children: Causes and consequences. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 78(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0029665118002586